Help! Event photography using Sony A7RIV

[dkh]

Just need to know if anyone has come across a useful link on how to setup the A7RIV. I have been using a A7III and have tried to setup it up the same but I'm sure, as it's a newer model, there will be some settings which I've missed.

1. Shutter speed of at least 250
2. Max ISO of 6400
3. 2 SD ii cards (in case of need) - Using Kingston UHS-II V90 U3 300/260MB/S cards.

Please add anything you feel relevant.

 

[Nikon_Nick]

It depends on what kind of event/subject you are shooting, and remember that the file sizes are huge on an A7RIV so take as much memory as you can. I used to use mine exclusively when shooting events, but now only use it as a back up to my A9 as the file sizes are much more manageable.

Generally, there are no default settings really as it will depend on the lighting conditions when you are there. What is the event? What kind of venue?

 

[Faldrax]

You might want to get a copy of Gary Friedman's A7Riv E-book. He writes them for all Sony Cameras (and has been doing so since Sony originally took over the A-Mount from Minolta).
Covers all the different controls and menus, with suggestions on settings to use in different situations.
https://friedmanarchives.podia.com/the-friedman-archives-guide-to-sony-s-a7-iv

 

[dkh]

It depends on what kind of event/subject you are shooting, and remember that the file sizes are huge on an A7RIV so take as much memory as you can. I used to use mine exclusively when shooting events, but now only use it as a back up to my A9 as the file sizes are much more manageable.

Generally, there are no default settings really as it will depend on the lighting conditions when you are there. What is the event? What kind of venue?

Thanks the venue lighting is ok. I was puzzled by the various focus settings and tracking. Have a setting that will hopefully work out.

 

[woof woof]

I'm often a bit baffled by peoples min and max settings. For example what do you do if you're at 1/250 and your ISO exceeds 6,400? Do you not take the shot? If you want to take the shot it's either under exposed or one of these nailed on values has to change.

Sorry to interrupt. Carry on.

 

[Phil V]

I'm often a bit baffled by peoples min and max settings. For example what do you do if you're at 1/250 and your ISO exceeds 6,400? Do you not take the shot? If you want to take the shot it's either under exposed or one of these nailed on values has to change.

Sorry to interrupt. Carry on.

Me too.
My max ISO is ridiculous but it’s clearly only going to select it when absolutely necessary.

It’s one of my bugbears with ‘exposure triangle’ it leads people to believe that those 3 options are simply user selectable as they forget the important opening sentence ‘for any given light level’.
And when there’s no light, something has to give.

I also go manual and use flash when the light gets dodgy though, and that’s the other answer to ‘what happens…’

 

[woof woof]

I'm just a happy snapper and no one pays me but I do accept that there may be a point at which a client thinks the quality is too bad not will not pay but even if poorer quality is possible maybe it's still better to have taken the picture than not because one parameter was outside of our "limit" just in case it is useable.

 

[Nikon_Nick]

Thanks the venue lighting is ok. I was puzzled by the various focus settings and tracking. Have a setting that will hopefully work out.

As I said before, it’s difficult to know what to suggest without knowing anything about what you are shooting. Last weekend I shot 3 different events and all of them required different base settings that could then be adjusted as needed.